ROUND 1, GAME 1: BLAZERS @ ROCKETS - 4/20/14, SUNDAY, 6:30 PM (PST), TNT & KGW

[Denny Crane]

Did you watch the game?

Yep.

Blazers came out aggressive. The Rockets got the benefit of all the calls in the first half, managing to get to the FT line how many times? Rockets regrouped at half time and were super aggressive in the 2nd half.

The refs weren't anywhere near as bad as posters were saying in the game thread. It was a game of runs by both teams. The Blazers were just bad when the starters weren't out there, and Houston took advantage.

If the refs were calling it in favor of the Rockets, there'd have been no OT, nor a close game. They wouldn't have blown the call that was Howard's 6th, either.

Their bench outscored the Blazers by 14. The refs couldn't cheat to make Parsons hit all the shots he did.

LMA and Lillard both shot over 10 FTA.

Blazers won. Playoff basketball.

 

[maxiep]

Harden should have just tucked the ball under his arm like a football and ran into the paint and belly flopped in the key, the refs probably would have sent his ass to the FT line.

Exactly right. That's why I think it was a busted play by Houston. Harden didn't know what to do. I think the play was a drive by Harden to draw the foul or kick to Parsons. Harden drove, stopped because of Freeland and then got trapped.

 

[maxiep]

Maxie, you really need a porto-potty by your TV, first the Warriors game and now this!
All in friendship. All Blazers fans are friends this morning.
I want to see a replay of this game!

Excellent idea! Does anyone have Honey Bucket's number?

 

[HailBlazers]

So, how hard do you think I'll get slapped down on their forum for this post?

http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showpost.php?p=8870627&postcount=4738

Good for you. Read that thread last night and man was it delusional.

 

[riverman]

3 to go, I smell a win streak coming

 

[Denny Crane]

Blazers Edge recap:

http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/4/2...s-vs-houston-rockets-game-1-lamarcus-aldridge

 

[magnifier661]

Blazers Edge recap:

http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/4/2...s-vs-houston-rockets-game-1-lamarcus-aldridge

By Ben Goliver

 

[magnifier661]

FTA were 40 vs. 39. PF were 33 to 32 - and many of those were hack a Howard. Seems close to me.

No shit calls aren't just calls to the line. Goaltend, travels, overlooking offensive fouls, etc. 4:1

 

[Denny Crane]

No shit calls aren't just calls to the line. Goaltend, travels, overlooking offensive fouls, etc. 4:1

Did you count them all to come up with 4:1? The objective data says 1:1.

 

[Denny Crane]

What I think is being missed is that the Blazers needed a win in Houston and got it. If home court advantage is real, the Blazers should have a much easier job beating them at Moda.

 

[magnifier661]

Did you count them all to come up with 4:1? The objective data says 1:1.

It's a general rationalization. But your data is incomplete. It doesn't warrant the offensive fouls, travels or goal tends that were blown.

 

[noknobs]

Dwight said the Blazers didn't do anything special? Bullshit. The Blazers beat the favored team, in the playoffs, on their home court, against ridiculously bad home cooked officiating, with some really heroic performances. That was a big win. And oh, was it special.

Dwight has a point. Aldridge and Lillard had great nights, but as a team I wouldn't say it was "special". They shot 43.3% from the field, missed 10 FT's (Portland was the best FT shooting team in the league), got outrebounded and gave up 22 offensive rebounds (Portland was the best rebounding team in the league), had only 14 assists, and got 7 points from the bench.

I kind of like the fact the Blazers didn't need a "special" team performance to win in Houston. Both teams can play better, just glad Portland got the W.

What was special in my view was the guts Portland displayed as an inexperienced playoff team, being down double digits late halfway through the 4th and coming back to win it.

 

[Denny Crane]

It's a general rationalization. But your data is incomplete. It doesn't warrant the offensive fouls, travels or goal tends that were blown.

I saw two goaltending calls against Howard. One called at each end.

33 fouls called against Houston, who didn't hack a Blazers player over and over as a strategy. 32 called against Portland. 1:1, roughly, if not in favor of the Blazers.

Turnovers were even, too. 12-12. That includes offensive fouls and traveling calls.

Exactly, and I mean exactly, how many goal tending calls do you think were missed? Surely none by the blazers, right!

If the Blazers made their FTA like normal, there was no OT. If Harden makes 41% of his shots! no OT.

 

[BBert]

I saw two goaltending calls against Howard. One called at each end.

33 fouls called against Houston, who didn't hack a Blazers player over and over as a strategy. 32 called against Portland. 1:1, roughly, if not in favor of the Blazers.

Turnovers were even, too. 12-12. That includes offensive fouls and traveling calls.

Exactly, and I mean exactly, how many goal tending calls do you think were missed? Surely none by the blazers, right!

Your underlying assumption seems to be that the number of times teams foul, are fouled, commit turnovers or goaltends, etc. are equal, therefore if the number of fouls called, etc. are equal it proves that the officiating was equal to both teams. That's a really ridiculous assumption. Garbage in = Garbage out.

 

[magnifier661]

I saw two goaltending calls against Howard. One called at each end.

33 fouls called against Houston, who didn't hack a Blazers player over and over as a strategy. 32 called against Portland. 1:1, roughly, if not in favor of the Blazers.

Turnovers were even, too. 12-12. That includes offensive fouls and traveling calls.

Exactly, and I mean exactly, how many goal tending calls do you think were missed? Surely none by the blazers, right!

If the Blazers made their FTA like normal, there was no OT. If Harden makes 41% of his shots! no OT.

Portland didn't have any issues with goal tending, because there was never an opportunity to call them. But when the ball was clearly coming down and the ball was clock is a goal tend. Even the TNT announcers questioned the calls. Just 1 of those calls going our way would have won the game for us. And when even "Laker fans" think we are getting hosed, that says a lot. Also, the NBA.com announcers and TNT (charles) couldn't believe how badly the officiating was.

But honestly, I don't understand your angle. Is it bitterness of Chicago's loss? All that matters was we won!

 

[Denny Crane]

All that matters was we won!

Right. Crying about the officiating doesn't win games. Scoring more points, no matter what else goes on, does win games.

 

[maxiep]

Lot of Blazer love in this article

http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/201...-140421-openingweekend/opening-weekend-rewind

3. Who was the most valuable player of the playoffs' opening weekend?



Adande: So many choices, including the likely MVP of the regular season, Kevin Durant. I'll go with the one that's freshest in my mind: Damian Lillard in the Sunday nightcap, with 31 points -- none bigger than the five he scored after LaMarcus Aldridge (another weekend MVP candidate) fouled out. He took smart shots and aggressive shots. He took shots you wouldn't expect a playoff newcomer to take and make.

Elhassan: LaMarcus Aldridge. Hard not to pick the guy who went for 46 and 18 in a road victory.

Harris: It's not always smart to just rely on counting stats, but LaMarcus Aldridge did record the opening weekend's high in points (46) and rebounds (18). The All-Star forward was magnificent as he once again ate the Rockets alive and helped deliver a thrilling OT victory for Portland.

Stein: I suppose you're not going to let me split the vote between LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard despite the fact that they're the first duo with at least 45 points and 30 points, respectively, in a playoff game since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in 1992. So let's not overthink this and go with Aldridge, whose beastly 46 and 18 included 22 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. Bonzi Wells Alert: Aldridge's 46 points established a new single-game playoff high for any Blazers player, eclipsing a 45-point game from Wells in 2003.

Strauss: LaMarcus Aldridge, who suddenly discovered that the shots count for more if he takes a few steps back. Aldridge showed off the range in his 46-point, 18-rebound performance, but he also flaunted his brutal post game. LMA kept flattening poor Terrence Jones on the block.

 

[magnifier661]

Right. Crying about the officiating doesn't win games. Scoring more points, no matter what else goes on, does win games.

hear hear

 

[HailBlazers]

Lot of Blazer love in this article

http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/201...-140421-openingweekend/opening-weekend-rewind

hear hear

 

[maxiep]

What I think is being missed is that the Blazers needed a win in Houston and got it. If home court advantage is real, the Blazers should have a much easier job beating them at Moda.

I think we need to win at least one more in Houston. I think Houston wins either games three or four.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

Wow........nice to be mentioned in that context.........."they're the first duo with at least 45 points and 30 points, respectively, in a playoff game since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in 1992."

 

[magnifier661]

I think we need to win at least one more in Houston. I think Houston wins either games three or four.

If we win game 2, it will be a sweep. If Houston wins game 2, then I agree with you. If the later happens, who wins game 3, wins the series.

 

[maxiep]

Wow........nice to be mentioned in that context.........."they're the first duo with at least 45 points and 30 points, respectively, in a playoff game since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in 1992."

Again, shut the fuck up about the Bulls and 1992!

 

[maxiep]

If we win game 2, it will be a sweep. If Houston wins game 2, then I agree with you. If the later happens, who wins game 3, wins the series.

Even if we win Game Two, no way do we sweep the Rockets. They're a fantastic team and this ain't the East.

 

[magnifier661]

Even if we win Game Two, no way do we sweep the Rockets. They're a fantastic team and this ain't the East.

I think you are forgetting how mentally fragile Howard's mind is. He is not a champion and is one of the easiest players to get in the head of. Regardless, we win game 2, its a sweep. I 100% believe it.

 

[Denny Crane]

I think we need to win at least one more in Houston. I think Houston wins either games three or four.

2 in Houston and the next 2 in Portland does it.

 

[maxiep]

2 in Houston and the next 2 in Portland does it.

My point is that I think this series goes at least six.

 

[Eastoff]

I think you are forgetting how mentally fragile Howard's mind is. He is not a champion and is one of the easiest players to get in the head of. Regardless, we win game 2, its a sweep. I 100% believe it.

I believe you to be exactly true


until you're proven wrong. ;]

 

[Denny Crane]

My point is that I think this series goes at least six.

It could. It's certain to go 4,5,6 or 7.

My point is if HCA matters, the games should be easier to win in Portland for the Blazers.

Like HCA might be worth 6.4 points: http://www.boydsbets.com/nba-home-court-advantage/

 

[magnifier661]

I believe you to be exactly true


until you're proven wrong. ;]